Rebecca Carroll Has a Lot to Say About Race in America
The author of ‘Surviving the White Gaze’ takes on boundaries, artistic evolution, and more in her new book
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For many years, Rebecca Carroll riveted us with her work as a cultural critic at WNYC and host of the podcast Come Through, which covers a series of conversations about race in America. Her essays, profiles, and cultural takes have appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, and many more. Now, it may not be her first book, but as her first memoir, Surviving the White Gaze unearths Carroll’s journey as a Black woman forging her identity in a White family, school, and neighborhood.
Carroll grew up in a small New Hampshire town, living what many would call an unconventional life where her parents leaned into artistic freedoms. She began writing as a child and has been telling stories ever since.
In Surviving the White Gaze, Carroll writes about her experience growing up with White parents in a color-blind environment while she struggles to maintain a tumultuous relationship with her birth mother. Her words illuminate a complex family dynamic and bring awareness to some of the challenges that transracial adoptees may face. This is a coming-of-age story that many will love and find comfort in, as Carroll learns to define family for herself.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
ZORA: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today. When I got my hands on your book, I just could not put it down.
Rebecca Carroll: Thank you. That means a lot coming from another adoptee.
From my knowledge about books and other media created by adoptees, this is one of the few #ownvoices books that has been published by a mainstream traditional publisher. How has that experience been for you?
I want to say it has been a largely wonderful experience. I think it’s important to also note that our experiences are bigger than just adoption. I know you have a book coming out that actually has this in the title, but it’s important to “nuance-ify.” I think people get nervous about what we’re going to say they need to do, or not do, or undo. And the truth is that it’s…
